I just remembered that I have to go in today -- or close the reference desk. My co-worker had to go to a meeting ( boo hiss for her) so there would be times when no one would be available for the desk. Darn

From whitehouse.gov, The Agenda - Civil Rights. Scroll down for the large section "Support for the LGBT Community"....

eta:

Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell: President Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. The President will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.

I was just reading that! I'm excited he still wants to repeal DOMA.

So far we have random champagne and a guy in a jeep with a giant flag from his truck.

I am also trying some Mexican hot chocolate today. How could I resist a brand name "Abuelita"?

It's full of cinnamon, Cashmere. You are in for a treat!

And Rick Warren said Sasha and Malia's names really...weirdly.

Its like he fangirls the Obama kids.

It sounded like Obama didn't want to split an infinitive.

Oh that just gives me chills. Welcome back, English language! Welcome back, Science! The Constitution! Buddy! Rough couple of years there, Pal. We'll get you patched up right away.

We're out of the woods, we're out of the dark, we're out of the night...

Warren was okay up until he invoked the J-word.

Look, the guy is gonna say "Jesus". You just have to know that. It would make no sense if he didn't.

I'm a Christian. I'm not delighted that we have so much of my faith in our public life -- I think it is deleterious both to my faith and to my country. However, when you're going to have a Christian minister speak as a Christian minsiter that's what he's going to do.

I found myself surprised at being moved by Warren, but you can't go mentioning the cloud of witnesses without me falling apart. It was a big image of my Grandfather's, an important part of his ministry in an integrating south, and a major feature of the architecture in the church his congreagation built [link] (p. 4)

I'm ready to move on. If Obama really does away with DADT, that will be a huge, "See? I'm down with teh gays!" I think it will help many, if not all of us, to forgive and forget this misstep. So, let's get down to business!

Signs are good: [link]

I have done some work and eaten lunch.

Will somebody throw me a parade?

Or maybe, get me a cupcake?

Welcome back, Science!

He basically said that in his speech -- something like "Restore science to its rightful place," something something.

See ya, "Intelligent Design"!

I went to check out the crowd. It's still a really big crowd. People still walking from the Mall. I saw a bunch of people -- mostly elderly -- sitting on curbs or benches to breath for a while.

After signing off on the first document, Obama carefully put down the pen, folded his hands and dead-panned: "I was told not to swipe the pen, which I often do."

Cashmere's cousin is gonna cling to that.

Billy Graham always offended me a great deal. Why do we act like this really conservative guy is some sort or eccumenical pope? I felt like it wasn't even questioned. Oooh! It's Billy Graham!

mmm...cupcakes. I vote for them